NCDOT has been searching for a new operator for the Piedmont & Northern in Gastonia, NC after Patriot Rail terminated their operating contract in late 2014. Iowa Pacific Holdings (IPH) has been selected as the new operator. While seeking freight opportunities, it also appears IPH intends on operating passenger excursions, as they do on many of their low-density freight operations among their holdings.

I'm looking for the link where Progress Rails has bought the Piedmont & Northern. I know Iowa Pacific was looking to sell and now I'm hearing the Progress is moving in next month and while ai trust the source, I can't find any official word. Has anyone else heard?

Progress, or Progressive Rail of Minnesota? Progressive, hopefully-- they specialize in very good marketing and will work as hard as anyone can to build some traffic on this line. They seem to specialize in smaller lines, as well.

It's been about two months, but I rode by with a friend and found the Progressive Rail SW1500 in Ranlo. I don't hear much about this operation right now. They're on their third operator in less than ten years.